Funding

Every scientist knows that funding is critical to research.

To guide you through the funding minefield, PlantSci has brought together all information relating to funding in one place. Whether you’re looking for current funding opportunities, recently awarded grants or information on funding bodies that support UK plant science research, look no further.

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Highlighting the latest opportunities

By simply selecting from the options above you’ll be able to find calls and initiatives in a particular area, from a particular funder or in a specific category such as fellowships. You can also search for opportunities by deadline e.g. 1 month from now.

We endeavour to include as many opportunities as we can, but inevitably we might miss some out. It might be useful to have a look at the following pages for more funding calls: Innovate UK, BBSRC, NERC, Horizon 2020 and ERC. If you know of other opportunities that we should be listed please get in contact.

The Research Grants scheme provides ‘seed corn’ funding for new projects of timeliness and promise initiated by research scientists at an early stage of their career (within the first 5 years of the start date of their first permanent academic po...

The Research Grants scheme provides ‘seed corn’ funding for new projects of timeliness and promise initiated by research scientists at an early stage of their career (within the first 5 years of the start date of their first permanent academic position). The objective of the scheme is to increase the availability of specialised equipment and essential consumable materials, and to support essential field research. The scheme also provides support for research in the history of science or to assist with publication of scholarly works in the history of science.
Eligibility: Applicants must be resident in the UK, they should have postdoctoral level or equivalent status at the time of the application and have a permanent or limited-tenure position in an eligible organisation. An applicant who is a post doctorate paid by a grant for which someone else is the principal investigator is not eligible. Applicants must play a major part and take a leading role in the project and not make its fulfilment more than marginally dependent on the services of postgraduate/doctoral students.
For research and publication in the history of science only: Non-tenured researchers and retired scientists resident in the UK may also apply for research support and publication support grants. Applicants must work in association with an eligible institution.
Length of Tenure: The grant is for a period of 12 months
Value of Grant: For all subject categories (1 to 9), up to £15,000 (including VAT) is available for the purchase of specialised equipment, essential consumable materials and services. Up to £5,000 (including VAT) is available for the publication of scholarly works in the history of science.
The grants are not intended to supplement ongoing research. As the Research Grant scheme does not involve staff costs, full economic costing (fEC) does not apply to this scheme.
Important note: Before completing the application form all applicants should check that they comply with the eligibility requirements outlined above. These requirements are strictly adhered to and any applicant who does not meet them will be excluded from the competition.

The Research Grants scheme provides ‘seed corn’ funding for new projects of timeliness and promise initiated by research scientists at an early stage of their career (within the first 5 years of the start date of their first permanent academic po...

The Technology Strategy Board will invest up to £7m to fund collaborative research and development projects that will lead to new technologies and strategies to help businesses extract greater value from large and diverse sources of data (or informa...

The Technology Strategy Board will invest up to £7m to fund collaborative research and development projects that will lead to new technologies and strategies to help businesses extract greater value from large and diverse sources of data (or information), and which drive a robust data economy. This competition is open to all UK-based companies and research organisations in business-led consortia. Ideas are sought from all economic sectors.

The Technology Strategy Board will invest up to £7m to fund collaborative research and development projects that will lead to new technologies and strategies to help businesses extract greater value from large and diverse sources of data (or informa...

The BBSRC Industrial Impact Fellowship scheme seeks to enable highly skilled research and technology leaders from industry to transfer their skills and experience from the industrial sector into an academic setting.

The fellowship will ide...

The BBSRC Industrial Impact Fellowship scheme seeks to enable highly skilled research and technology leaders from industry to transfer their skills and experience from the industrial sector into an academic setting.

The fellowship will ideally be for a period of up to 4 years, where matched departmental funding will be viewed favourably by the assessment committee. The scheme is flexible with regard to the particular role proposed in an application, but it is expected that Fellows will take on a significant 'science programme manager' role within an existing BBSRC research programme. For example, the Fellows could manage innovation and business development, acting as liaison with industry partners, overseeing the development of the commercial potential of the research being pursued, etc. It is expected that Fellows will be embedded within a department and complement local technology transfer office (or equivalent) activities.

The BBSRC Industrial Impact Fellowship scheme seeks to enable highly skilled research and technology leaders from industry to transfer their skills and experience from the industrial sector into an academic setting.

New applications in 2010 will follow our standard grant rules on resubmissions. For further information see BBSRC grants guide, paragraphs ...

New applications in 2010 will follow our standard grant rules on resubmissions. For further information see BBSRC grants guide, paragraphs 4.13 and 4.14.
This funding is for ‘proof of concept’ at the very early stage of turning research outputs into a commercial proposition.
It funds work to convert an idea into a robust business plan where a route to commercialisation is clear, for example a spin-out (seed or venture finance) or licensing opportunity.
BBSRC commit £2.9M a year. Typically grants are for £80K-150K normally over 12 months.
How to apply: Applications must be within our portfolio and draw substantially on outputs of recent BBSRC funding.
Complete and submit the application form in the downloads section.

New applications in 2010 will follow our standard grant rules on resubmissions. For further information see BBSRC grants guide, paragraphs ...

The Industry Fellowship scheme promotes collaboration between the UK science base and industry by supporting the exchange of mid-career researchers either from the science base to industry or vice-versa. The Fellowships are administered by the Royal Society, co-sponsored by the BBSRC and BBSRC Institute employees are now eligible to apply for a fellowship. The scheme has successfully supported researchers in the biosciences and has involved a range of industry sectors, from large pharmaceutical companies to Biotech SMEs.

Pathfinder awards are available to carry out work that will help you develop a greater understanding of the commercial aspects and possibilities of your research, and hence a more robust, better informed application for a full Follow-on Fund grant.
...

Pathfinder awards are available to carry out work that will help you develop a greater understanding of the commercial aspects and possibilities of your research, and hence a more robust, better informed application for a full Follow-on Fund grant.
Illustrative activities include: commissioning a market assessment study to determine likely potential competition and opportunities; intellectual property searches; developing contacts with potential licensees or users to understand their needs and requirements; and milestone 1 achievement, if the milestone is particularly risky and the success of the entire project depends upon it.
Although not a formal requirement for subsequent application to the full Follow-on Fund, undertaking Pathfinder work of the type described is an approach strongly encouraged by NERC's Assessment Panel.
Awards are typically in region of £7k - £10k (FEC), although up to £20k may be awarded in exceptional cases. Further information on this can be obtained from Andrew Richardson.
Follow-on Fund
This is the main scheme. Applications must demonstrate a sound understanding of the market opportunity, as described above, and a clear and robust linkage between the proposed technology development plan and the strategy proposed for commercialising the project's outputs.
There is no limit on the amount of funding that can be sought. However, as support is only provided for a maximum of 12 months, the amount sought should be reasonable according to the work to be carried out (typically between £80k and £100k). NERC pays the standard proportion of full economic costs (see the Research Grants Handbook for full details).
Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), or equivalent, have a vital role to play in the development of Follow-on Fund applications and in the subsequent execution of the commercial elements of the plan. NERC's Follow-on-Fund Assessment Panel will therefore look for evidence of meaningful TTO involvement and buy-in to the proposed project.
Closing dates
Follow-on Fund: 27 October 2010.
Follow-on Fund Pathfinder: there is no closing date for this scheme; applications can be submitted at any time.

Pathfinder awards are available to carry out work that will help you develop a greater understanding of the commercial aspects and possibilities of your research, and hence a more robust, better informed application for a full Follow-on Fund grant.
...

NERC in collaboration with the Trustees of the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund (ACTF) of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) invite studentship proposals for PhD projects related to the development of new analytical techniques suitable for use in en...

NERC in collaboration with the Trustees of the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund (ACTF) of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) invite studentship proposals for PhD projects related to the development of new analytical techniques suitable for use in environmental science.
Proposals should be from prospective research supervisors for studentships to commence in autumn 2011. It is anticipated that up to 8 studentships will be supported in this round.
The scope of this programme covers the full breadth of environmental science and all areas of analytical science (laboratory and field). These studentships must include a comprehensive training programme, including supervision in both environmental and analytical science, and be likely to make significant contributions to the advancement of analytical science in the UK.

NERC in collaboration with the Trustees of the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund (ACTF) of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) invite studentship proposals for PhD projects related to the development of new analytical techniques suitable for use in en...

The aim of this new scheme is to fund the organisation of a small 3 day scientific meeting to bring together groups of mid-career scientists from India and the UK for the purpose of scientific discussion, to promote collaboration and knowledge transf...

The aim of this new scheme is to fund the organisation of a small 3 day scientific meeting to bring together groups of mid-career scientists from India and the UK for the purpose of scientific discussion, to promote collaboration and knowledge transfer by encouraging interaction within the wide research community. These scientific meetings would take place in either the UK or India.
The award holders would be responsible for all aspects of organising and delivering the scientific content of the meetings, as well as finding a suitable venue and accommodation for all participants. These scientific meetings would need to clearly demonstrate a clear strategy for securing long-term sustainable funds for the continuation of their research collaboration. The number of participants who are invited to the meeting should not exceed more than 20 attendees (5 from visiting country and up to 15 from host country).
Subjects Covered: All areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine.
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed a PhD and hold a fixed term contract or permanent position at an eligible UK institution.
Length of Tenure: The meeting should not exceed more than 3 days. The scientific seminar must take place between March 2011 and March 2012.
Value of Grant: Up to £12,000
Countries covered: UK and India
Number Offered: 20 awards
Application Closing Date: 25 October 2010
Closing Information: Refer to scheme notes. A copy of the application form must be sent to both the Royal Society and to the DST in India.
Results Available: End of January 2011

The aim of this new scheme is to fund the organisation of a small 3 day scientific meeting to bring together groups of mid-career scientists from India and the UK for the purpose of scientific discussion, to promote collaboration and knowledge transf...